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Published By Your City Hall

December 8, 2023

At this week’s meeting, Coos Bay City Council approved a proclamation supporting the efforts of the Zonta Club of the Coos Bay Area in their ten days of activism, ending on December 10, 2023, and proclaiming that date in Coos Bay as ‘Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women Day.’ Several members of the local Zonta club attended the meeting in support of the proclamation. 

The proclamation provides disheartening statistics of the prevalence of gender-based violence across the globe and the international efforts of Zonta Clubs throughout 63 countries to achieve a world free of violence against women and girls. All residents are encouraged to join with Zonta in their efforts to prevent gender-based violence through individual and community education on the harm caused by this violence, to advocate for survivors of gender-based violence, and to act in service on the behalf of victims.

Community resources are available locally to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

The SAFE Project has trained advocates available 24 hours a day to respond when and where needed. With a 24-hour crisis line (541-756-7000), access to resources and immediate support. Volunteers for the SAFE Project are highly trained and work directly with victims where they are, as well as provide information to community members regarding resources available. For more information on how you can support or volunteer with the SAFE Project, contact office directly at: 541-888-1048 or respy@stopabusecoos.org.

• The Kids’ HOPE Center operates in partnership with Bay Area Hospital, providing support and advocacy for youth in our community who have suffered due to neglect or abuse.  Caring adults focused on protection, reassurance and advocacy in a non-threatening space so that children are able to safely disclose their stories during a single interview session with these specially trained forensic interviewers. For more information about the Kids’ HOPE Center and their services, you can visit their website: https://bayareahospital.org/family-medicine-services/kids-hope-center/#kids-hope-center.
  
  
• Crime Victims’ Assistance in Coos County is focused on providing victims of crime with information on their rights and referrals to community-wide resources while they are engaged in the criminal justice process. For more information, contact the office directly at:  541-396-1015, cooscva@co.coos.or.us, or www.co.coos.or.us/dist-attorney/page/domestic-violence.
  
  
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline, a national hotline to connect domestic violence victims to shelter or crisis centers near them, can be reached at 800-655-HOPE.

-Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay

Coos Bay and North Bend are coming together in many ways, one of which is an opportunity to Walk with the Mayors. Mayor Benetti and Mayor Engelke are encouraging community members from both cities to join them for upcoming Walk with the Mayors. The next walking and talking event will be at the North Bend City Hall on Monday, December 18 at noon. For questions, contact Coos Bay administration at 541-269-8912 or email North Bend administration at jengelke@northbendcity.org.

The City of Coos Bay is seeking volunteers to fill positions on the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, and Budget Committee. Applications are available from the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, by calling 541-269-8912, or on the City’s website at www.coosbayor.gov. Applications will be accepted in the City Mangers Office through 5 p.m. December 26, 2023. Applicants will be contacted to schedule interviews with the City Council.

Planning Commission

Applicants shall have been residents of the City for at least one year, except that two members may reside outside the city limits but within Coos County if such persons own property within the city limits. These boards, commissions and committees are comprised of appointed community members and meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. There are three terms expiring on December 31, 2023, on the Planning Commission.

Parks Commission

The Parks Commission is comprised of one City Councilor, one Planning Commissioner, and remaining positions are filled by interested persons. Membership, if possible, should include a landscape design professional, landscaping business professional, design professional, parks management professional and a bicycle or pedestrian enthusiast with subject matter expertise. Applications must be a resident of the City of Coos Bay or own property in the City. The Parks Commission meets once a month.

Budget Committee

Applicants must be a resident of the City of Coos Bay, and they are appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The meetings are held in April at 7 p.m. There are two terms expiring on December 31, 2023, on the Budget Committee.

CBFD Receives Grant for a Fire Truck

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Council authorized the Coos Bay Fire Department (CBFD) to accept a grant from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office that will provide a fire truck (water tender) capable of carrying 2000 gallons of water.

The majority of Coos Bay benefits from a well-designed hydrant and water distribution system, but there are some areas within city limits and most of the areas that the fire department covers through contract (ie. Libby, Bunker Hill and Timber Park neighborhoods) which lack adequate hydrants and available water for firefighting. In situations like these, fire departments often use water trucks to bring water for firefighting to the incident. Without a water truck (tender) of their own, Coos Bay has relied on mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments when a need for a water tender was identified. 

In 2022, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office offered a grant to minimize the threat of catastrophic wildfire by placing resources (fire engines and water tenders) in jurisdictions around the state. In this program, the State will maintain ownership of these resources and the local recipient agencies are authorized to utilize the equipment as they see fit. Additionally, the recipient agencies will be awarded reimbursement up to $3,500 annually for necessary maintenance of the equipment. The three options from this State program were a wildland (type VI) brush truck, an urban-interface (type III) engine, and a 2000-gallon water tender. Coos Bay already has two (2) type VI brush trucks and a type III offers little or no benefit to the existing fleet. A water tender was identified as beneficial to the City for those areas with inadequate water supply, adding to resources for emergency management. In the event of a natural disaster that disrupts the community water distribution system, the ability to transport large amounts of water may be invaluable. Fire department staff applied for a grant to house an OSFM water tender.

Coos Bay was one of two agencies within Coos County that were selected as recipient agencies. The truck, valued at $340,000, is being built by Rosenbauer Fire Equipment in South Dakota and expected to be delivered by early Spring 2024.

The bingo challenge will run from December 4, 2023, through March 2, 2024. All ages are welcome to join in the fun.

Pick up a reading challenge bingo sheet from the Coos Bay Public Library or sign up to participate digitally using the Beanstack App.  Get an entry into the grand prize drawing for each bingo or badge you earn (maximum of five).  Pick up a small prize at the library for the first row you complete (one prize per person). 

For information and to download a bingo sheet, visit  https://www.coosbaylibrary.org/winter-reading.

Reindeer Games Downtown

Santa's reindeer are on the loose in downtown businesses and if you happen upon one of them be sure to enter to win a great basket of goodies, all courtesy of the Coos Bay Downtown Association. When you do find a reindeer, enter to win at that location. The reindeer will keep moving their locations through December 20, 2023.

Crustacean Education 

Come learn about the amazing life cycle of crabs, their importance to the local economy, and the various techniques for capturing this delectable Crustacean. Join hosts from the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve on Saturday, December 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. for this educational event. Dress for the weather and meet at the Charleston Visitors Center, 91141 Cape Arago Hwy in Coos Bay. This event is free but registration is required. 

NeighborWorks Umpqua's (NWU) Economic Equity Investment Program aims to help low to moderate income families with focused effort on reaching previously marginalized populations to boost earnings, reduce expenses, and make appropriate financial decisions that lead to asset building through innovative approaches to service delivery.

Position Summary

The Bilingual/bicultural financial coach provides direct services to low to moderate-income individuals who are enrolled as NeighborWorks Umpqua's (NWU) participants. Financial counseling and coaching involve an ability to engage and motivate clients, a strong understanding of personal finances, and the ability to teach that knowledge to others. The financial coach is responsible for assisting clients in developing plans of action that are intended to help the client reach their goals and achieve financial stability. The financial coach is expected to focus services in a one-on-one counseling format. However, the coach might also conduct classes and workshops on topics such as budgeting, credit building, and banking products. The Bilingual/bicultural financial coach reports directly to the Economic Equity Investment Program Manager

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

        Provide one-on-one financial coaching

• Teach clients about the value of NeighborWorks Umpqua's (NWU) services and engage the client in a long-term relationship

• Support Director and Manager in development, coordination, and facilitation of targeted outreach materials and events, screening for, and provision of technical assistance to disadvantaged individuals
• Link clients to services that access innovative economic equity investment programming
• Increase the number of participants who successfully complete their savings and asset training goals
• Assist clients in resolving current financial situations, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management
• Work with clients to complete a very detailed financial assessment
  • Work with the client to document a budget and provide strategies for budget improvements
  • Access the clients credit report/score and provide strategies for credit building
  • Document the client’s balance sheet and provide strategies for increasing net worth
• Develop plans of action and provide tools, resources, and accountability to the client to help them meet their goals
• Understand other services offered by the organization and connect the clients to these other services
• Maintain project evaluation measurements
• Case management and record keeping of participants and prospective participants
• Track data related to clients and curriculum, including their progress and benchmarks
• Track the stories and successes of program participants
• Participation in regional and national asset building trainings, including presenting when appropriate
• Participation in grant writing and reporting activities as needed

9-1-1 Dispatcher

The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of 9-1-1 Dispatcher.  To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, police supplemental application, resume, and letter of interest to the HR Office or by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov . City applications are available from the Finance Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by email at jspencer@coosbayor.gov or on the City’s website.

City of Coos Bay 500 Central Ave. Coos Bay, OR 97420

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